Now you can join the dots here to see what kind of low-quality content they mean. Without saying it, it’s implied that AI-generated bland unhelpful content will be the first to go. So if your website is predominantly low quality content that doesn’t actually answer searchers’ questions or provide meaningful information using Google’s EEAT formula, then your SEO efforts will be a waste of time, and you won’t rank.

‘We’ve long had a policy against using automation to generate low-quality or unoriginal content at scale with the goal of manipulating search rankings. This policy was originally designed to address instances of content being generated at scale where it was clear that automation was involved.

This is what Google said about automated content:

… To better address these techniques, we’re strengthening our policy to focus on this abusive behavior — producing content at scale to boost search ranking — whether automation, humans or a combination are involved. This will allow us to take action on more types of content with little to no value created at scale, like pages that pretend to have answers to popular searches but fail to deliver helpful content.’

It’s not just your own content that will be reviewed and scrutinised but if you host third party guest posts or similar, that will also be taken into account. And you can’t afford to have even one poor piece of content on your site. You have until 5 May 2024 to change this. Take this opportunity to do a content audit of your site.

‘We’ll now consider very low-value, third-party content produced primarily for ranking purposes and without close oversight of a website owner to be spam,’ Google stated.

As I repeat multiple times, the only way you can win with content when it comes to improving your Google ranking is by writing extremely well-written and high-quality content.

Important to note:

Google says ‘Expired domains that are purchased and repurposed with the intention of boosting the search ranking of low-quality content are now considered spam.’

Here are some helpful articles for improving your content:

Does AI hurt your website?

What is semantic search?

How to write a blog post?

Do your own website audit

The post Google is cutting down 40% of search results! appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

Here are four dynamic tactics you can incorporate into your SEO marketing to elevate your rankings and drive organic traffic.

1. Launch a YouTube channel and leverage it on your website

Video content continues to dominate online platforms, with YouTube being the second-largest search engine globally.

Starting a YouTube channel not only expands your reach to a vast audience but also presents an opportunity to enhance your website’s SEO. Here’s how:

·      Create engaging videos: Produce high-quality, informative videos relevant to your niche. Whether it’s tutorials, product demonstrations, or industry insights, ensure your content is valuable and engaging. It’s best to do face-to-camera, as audiences respond so well to seeing someone’s face, and the YouTube algorithm will likely prioritise it.

·      Optimise for keywords: Conduct keyword research to identify popular search terms within your industry. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your video titles, descriptions, and tags to improve visibility in both YouTube and Google search results. For example, if you have a channel dedicated to SEO, you might like to create a video about “how to boost SEO”.

·      Embed videos on your website: Capitalise on your video content by embedding it strategically across your website. Whether on landing pages, blog posts, or product pages, incorporating videos enhances user engagement and dwell time, signalling to search engines that your site offers valuable multimedia resources. Remember that Google owns YouTube, so it actually counts towards your search results on your website.

2. Double down on high-ranking content

Identifying and optimising existing high-ranking content is a cost-effective strategy to bolster your SEO efforts. Rather than solely focusing on creating new content, allocate resources to amplify the performance of your top-performing pages.

Do this by:

·      Conduct content audits: Assess your website’s analytics to identify pages with high traffic, strong engagement metrics, and favourable search rankings. These pages represent valuable assets that can be further optimised for increased visibility.

·      Optimise meta titles and descriptions: Refine meta titles and descriptions to align with current search intent and maximise click-through rates. Incorporate relevant keywords while maintaining readability and relevance to entice users to click through to your site.

·      Refresh and expand content: Update outdated information, add fresh insights, and expand upon existing content to provide comprehensive resources for users. Refreshing content not only enhances its relevance but also signals to search engines that your site is regularly updated and authoritative within your niche.

3. Create link-worthy assets

Earning backlinks from reputable websites remains a crucial component of SEO, indicating to search engines the credibility and authority of your site. To attract quality backlinks, focus on creating compelling, shareable assets that resonate with your target audience.

Here are some examples:

·      Infographics and data visualisations: Condense complex information into visually appealing infographics or data visualisations. Presenting data in a digestible format increases the likelihood of other websites citing and linking back to your content.

·      Comprehensive guides and whitepapers: Develop in-depth guides or whitepapers addressing common pain points or industry challenges within your niche. Position your content as a valuable resource and outreach to relevant websites or influencers to encourage linking and sharing. These make the ultimate lead magnets, too – which are excellent tools for collecting email addresses. And you know that I’m a huge fan of email marketing because it’s so effective.

·      Interactive tools and calculators: Engage your audience with interactive tools or calculators tailored to their needs. Whether it’s a budget calculator, interactive map, or diagnostic tool, providing value-added resources encourages user interaction and increases the likelihood of earning backlinks. You can see how valuable these would be if you’re in the finance or accounting industry, right?

4. Prioritise mobile-first optimisation

With the proliferation of mobile devices, adjusting your website for mobile users is no longer optional—it’s imperative for SEO success. Google’s mobile-first indexing spotlights the mobile version of your site for ranking and indexing, making mobile optimisation a top priority.

Here’s what you can do:

·      Responsive design: Ensure your website employs a responsive design that adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices. A mobile-friendly layout enhances user experience and reduces bounce rates, telling the search engines that your site is user-centric. Essentially that means you need to make sure all your content fits on a tiny screen as well, without it all wonky looking.

·      Reduce page speed: Mobile users expect super fast-loading websites, and page speed directly impacts user satisfaction and search rankings. Minimise unnecessary elements, leverage browser caching, and compress images to improve page speed and overall performance on mobile devices. It should ideally be under 3 seconds load time for positive SEO.

·      Mobile-friendly content: Craft concise, scannable content optimised for mobile consumption. Use shorter paragraphs, descriptive subheadings, and bullet points to facilitate easy reading on smaller screens.

By implementing these four focuses into your SEO marketing efforts in 2024, you can position your website for sustained growth, increased visibility, and improved organic rankings. And it doesn’t matter what the economy is doing, you can still remain ahead of the game and get the sales and clients that you desire.

I want to take care of you and see you thrive. Get an SEO strategy today.

The post Boost Your SEO in 2024: Four Powerful Tactics appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

The web is transforming into a dynamic ecosystem. Lines blur between websites and immersive experiences, AI whispers personalised suggestions, and design choices carry the weight of environmental responsibility. Buckle up; the next decade of web design promises to be an exciting and unpredictable ride. 

In this article, we’ll look at major trends and predictions for the next decade. We’ll briefly look at the benefits of keeping up with major trends. Then, we’ll focus on technological advancements, changing user expectations, and evolving design aesthetics in web design. 

Advantages of Keeping Updated

Before diving into the article, let’s consider why you need to read this article. There are many benefits to monitoring the prediction and future trends. Some are as follows:

● Competitive advantage

● Increased creativity

● Future-proof skillset and technologies

● Effective marketing strategies

● Higher conversion rates

● Informed investments

● Building brand loyalty

● Enhanced user interaction

● Staying relevant

All of this will contribute hugely to your company. If you focus on higher conversion rates, you can implement engaging WooCommerce Popup Carts that showcase added items and encourage further shopping.

Technological Advancements

How we experience the web is about to get a significant overhaul, driven by exciting technological advancements. In this section, let’s delve into four technological advancements redefining web design in the next decade. 

AI and Personalisation

This technological advancement allows website owners to create content and layout tailored to customers’ preferences. For example, the top suggestions would be articles the customers would love to read and products they’d use. 

It works through AI algorithms, which analyse vast amounts of data, including user behaviour and design trends. This allows the AI to automatically generate personalised layouts, colour palettes, and design elements. It’s like having a virtual design assistant working to optimise your website for maximum engagement constantly.

AI can go beyond layout, churning out personalised content like blog posts, product descriptions, and video scripts based on user preferences and real-time data. It saves time and resources while ensuring content resonates with your audience.

Immersive Technologies

These technologies allow you to create interactive and engaging experiences for your website’s visitors. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are two technologies that help create experiences that blur the lines between the digital and physical world. 

AR will transform e-commerce, education, and entertainment in the next decade. Thus, web design must adapt to create seamless and intuitive AR experiences. For example, consider overlaying virtual elements onto your physical surroundings, trying on clothes virtually, or exploring a museum exhibit right from your living room. 

VR technology enables people to attend virtual concerts, explore interactive stories, or collaborate with colleagues in a virtual workspace. Web design must master spatial storytelling and user interaction to create compelling VR experiences.

Voice Search Optimisation

As voice assistants become increasingly popular, websites must adapt to how people search for information. This means optimising content for natural language queries, focusing on long-tail keywords, and ensuring intuitive and engaging voice interfaces.

Thus, websites will need to have a more conversational design. In the future, web design must focus on micro-interactions like quick answers and voice-activated buttons.  

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

PWAs are apps made using web platform tech. They feel like a native app and offer offline functionality, push notifications, and a faster, more responsive experience. 

PWAs blur the lines between websites and apps, offering a frictionless user experience regardless of device or internet connection. This leads to higher engagement and conversions, making PWAs a must-have for future web design. 

Moreover, PWAs load faster and work offline, making them more accessible to users with limited bandwidth or disabilities.

Shifting User Expectations 

The future of web design isn’t just about technology; it’s about understanding and catering to the ever-evolving expectations of the people using it. Let’s look at some aspects shaping how users will interact with the web in the upcoming decade.

Accessibility and Ethical Considerations

As technology advances, it is necessary to ensure everyone benefits equally. Users are expecting accessibility and ethical considerations in every aspect of web design.

For this, websites will have an inclusive design, with features like screen readers, keyboard navigation, and clear visuals for low-vision users.

Micro-Interactions and Storytelling

In the future, delightful micro-interactions and captivating narratives will become the foundation of engaging user experiences. 

Micro-interactions will act as emotional touchpoints, creating a sense of playfulness and delight and weaving user emotion into the very fabric of the website. The shift towards interactive storytelling means that websites will transition from static information hubs to immersive storytelling platforms.

Focus on Emotions and Connection

Design isn’t just about aesthetics but forging emotional connections with users. The future web will leverage design elements to evoke empathy, build trust, and create meaningful relationships.

Website owners must understand user psychology to apply principles like colour psychology, visual hierarchy, and emotional white space. Trust and credibility building is also necessary. Design elements like transparency, user testimonials, and clear communication make users feel safe and secure while interacting with the website.

Data-Driven Design and User Analysis

In the age of big data, understanding user behaviour is no longer guesswork. Web design will increasingly integrate data analytics to tailor experiences and optimise engagement. 

Websites will learn and adapt in real-time, using data to personalise content, test different design elements, and optimise the user experience based on individual preferences and interaction patterns.

Analytics will predict user intent and anticipate needs, allowing for proactive design adjustments like pre-filling forms or recommending relevant content before users ask.

The Rise of Micro-Communities and Niche Audiences

The web is no longer a homogeneous space; it’s a tapestry of micro-communities with specific interests and values. Web design must cater to these niche audiences, creating experiences that resonate and foster belonging.

Understanding niche communities’ unique needs and preferences allows for tailored design elements, targeted messaging, and a sense of community built into the website. Websites that can be customised and shaped by the community they serve are part of the future. They will allow users to contribute content, design elements, and ideas, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging.

Evolving Design Aesthetics

The visual language of the web is in constant flux, reflecting technological advancements, evolving cultural currents, and user preferences. In this section, we’ll dive into some aesthetic trends that will colour the landscape of future web design. 

Minimalism with a Twist

Minimalism isn’t going anywhere, but it’s evolving. The clean lines and ample white space are still there but infused with refined functionality and subtle personality.

In the future, minimalism will focus on crafting visually sleek, efficient, and intuitive interfaces. While avoiding visual overload, designers inject subtle flourishes that hint at brand identity or user preference. 

Bold Colours and Typographic Adventures

While minimalism holds its ground, the future web embraces boldness, using vibrant colours and experimental typography to grab attention and leave a lasting impression.

Forget muted tones and expect websites that burst with life through daring colour combinations, gradients, and playful use of negative space. This trend embraces diversity and individuality, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of global audiences. The usage of fonts is changing as they become statement pieces. Websites will experiment with unconventional typefaces, dynamic sizing, and interactive typography that responds to user behaviour.

Sustainable Design Choices

As environmental consciousness grows, web design is becoming more responsible. This means choosing eco-friendly materials and adopting design practices that minimise environmental impact. Therefore, sustainable alternatives like recycled paper, organic inks, and energy-efficient hosting options are becoming mainstream considerations in creating environmentally responsible websites.

Every pixel and line of code has an environmental footprint. You should expect future web design to prioritise code optimisation, faster loading times, and resource-efficient practices to reduce the carbon footprint of the digital world.

Conclusion

The web promises a thrilling evolution as we move steadily towards the next decade. The future of web design will involve technological advancements like AR and VR, user expectations shifting to accessibility considerations, and design aesthetics like minimalism. So, prepare for the future to be a collaboration where creativity dances with technology, responsibility fuels innovation, and every click becomes a step towards a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable digital world.

The post The Future of Web Design: Predictions and Trends for the Next Decade appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

Jones the Writer Copywriting Services collaborated with an acoustics engineering firm to enhance their online presence and engagement through SEO services. The partnership aimed to address specific challenges related to visibility, client education, and time-sensitive communication.

The client

Resonate Consultants is an Australian firm specialising in acoustic engineering and vibration consulting services. This multi-award-winning company has offices across Australia and services a number of clients across multiple industries including building and construction, Defence, education, environment and marine, renewables, laboratories, transport and infrastructure and the arts.

Objective

The primary goals were to:

• increase visibility
• improve SEO
• and provide informative content with a cohesive tone of voice.

With the overarching objective to establish credibility among potential clients, clarify the offered solutions, and educate the audience about the benefits of engaging the services early in a project.

Challenges

1. Informing potential clients about the existence of the service and the importance of early engagement.
2. Providing clarity on the solutions offered and their benefits to clients and their projects.
3. Addressing time pressures faced by existing clients and highlighting the firm’s well-known ability to deliver quickly and reliably, with exceptional client service.

Strategies implemented

I began working with this client in early 2021, where I devised an in-depth content strategy and audit, tone of voice guide and email marketing strategy.

The marketing implementations included:

1. Content strategy:
   • Developed a comprehensive content strategy aligned with the client’s objectives.
   • Created nearly 100 pieces of new SEO content articles, to showcase expertise and engage the audience.
2. Onsite optimisation:
   • Conducted onsite optimisation of existing web pages and blog posts to capitalise on SEO keywords and enhance search visibility.
3. Email marketing:
   • Implemented targeted email marketing campaigns (and strategy) to directly reach potential clients and convey the firm’s capabilities. This also had the benefit of driving traffic to the website which enhanced SEO efforts.
4. Tone of voice and editorial calendar:
   • Established a cohesive tone of voice to enhance brand identity.
   • Developed an editorial calendar to ensure consistent and strategic content delivery making sure content attended to necessary content pillars, audience requirements, annual events and plans, and timely news.
5. Competitor analysis:
   • Conducted a thorough competitor analysis to identify market positioning, areas for improvement, and potential competitive advantages.
6. Conversion goals:
   • Emphasised converting goals through content, branding and SEO efforts.
7. Reporting:
   • Additionally, to ensure consistency and transparency, I provided in-depth quarterly SEO reports to this client so they could see for themselves the impressive results and upward trend. This report also supplied a number of ongoing recommendations to even further enhance their SEO and marketing efforts.

Content example

Results

The results were impressive for this client, with thanks to their consistency and enthusiasm for the entire team being willing and involved in coming forth with expert knowledge to include in the high-quality content articles.

It also helped that the CEO knew the value of content marketing and SEO and backed the process and my proposals fully.

1. Visibility and keywords:
   • Visibility increased by 133% in the January to March 2022 quarter.
   • 161 keywords ranked in the top 100 Google search results, with 65 in the top 10 (first page of Google).
2. Engagement metrics:
   • Total sessions increased by more than 23% during most quarters.
   • Goal completions rose by 11%, including a 12.5% increase in phone calls and a 10% increase in emails during July to Sept 2023 period. This was a typical quarterly increase.
3. Organic search acquisitions:
   • Organic search acquisitions increased by 66% in the nearest comparable quarter (April to June 2021).
4. Competitive performance:
   • Outperformed and ranked higher for keywords against competitors, including large international corporations, in most quarters.

Impact

31 out of 45 goal conversions during one quarter were directly attributed to organic Google searches.

This meant that their SEO was working tremendously to bring in new clients who happened to search for any of their SEO keywords and click on their site. Once on their site, they demonstrated contact by phoning or emailing for an enquiry. That’s nearly a 70% rate of contact from organic Google searches.

A remarkable 17.78% increase in goal conversions.

Resonate Consultants experienced a notable surge in goal conversions, showcasing an impressive growth rate of 17.78% during the April to June 2023 period. The surge in goal conversions underscores the successful engagement and positive response from their target audience during this timeframe.

Most quarters in the recent past have witnessed a consistent upward trajectory in goal conversions on Resonate Consultants’ website. This sustained pattern underscores the consistency of the approach, reflecting not only a one-time success but an ongoing commitment to meeting and exceeding their performance targets through SEO and content efforts.

Testimonial

Conclusion

With my help and services, the client successfully transformed their online presence, achieving substantial increases in visibility, engagement, and competitive performance. The implemented strategies addressed the challenges of client education, time pressures, and the need for a reliable online presence. The collaboration demonstrated the effectiveness of a holistic content approach in achieving tangible business results which will make a difference in the business’ bottom line for years to come.

The post SEO Services and Content Strategy | Case Study appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

Compounding website traffic refers to gradually and consistently increasing the amount of traffic a website receives over time. Instead of relying on sudden, one-time spikes in traffic, compounding traffic relies on creating high-quality content that continues to attract visitors over the long term—my preferred SEO tactic, to be honest. 

This is typically achieved through search engine optimisation (SEO), which involves optimising a website’s content and structure to make it more visible and relevant to search engines. By creating content that addresses the needs and interests of a specific audience and by using the right keywords and metadata, a website can gradually increase its visibility and attract more traffic.

Other strategies that can help drive compounding traffic include building a social media presence, guest blogging on other websites, and building an email list. The key is to create valuable content that addresses the needs and interests of a specific audience. You know- content that addresses questions and explicit topics that you know will improve their business or life. And then promote that content through a variety of marketing channels to reach as many people as possible. This will lead to a steady and sustainable increase in traffic to your website, resulting in more leads, customers, and revenue. 

How to grow your compounding traffic

Content is key

High-quality, relevant, and valuable content is essential for driving compounding traffic. By consistently creating content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience, you can attract visitors who are more likely to return to your site and share your content with others.

Tip: You must, must, MUST hyperlink back to existing content (using relevant keywords and search terms) not just to help with SEO and site navigation but to encourage readers to check out older content. 

Aim for approximately two to six internal links to existing content. 

Don’t forget to go back through older content and update posts to including internal links to newer content also. 

Long-tail keywords

Instead of trying to rank for highly competitive keywords, focus on long-tail keywords, which are more specific and less competitive. By creating content that targets these keywords, you can increase your visibility and attract visitors who are more likely to be interested in your offerings.

Social media

Building a social media presence can be an effective way to promote your content and attract visitors to your website. By sharing your content on social media channels and engaging with your followers, you can increase the visibility of your website and encourage more people to visit.

Tips:

Reshare old content, even if it is a few years old. As long as the information is relevant and not totally out of date, it’s worth sharing. Share a list of your top 5 best-performing web pages or blog posts.

Email marketing

Building an email list can be another effective way to drive compounding traffic. By regularly sending out newsletters or updates with links to your content, you can encourage subscribers to visit your website and share your content with others.

Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to driving compounding traffic. By regularly creating and promoting high-quality content, you can gradually build up your website’s visibility and attract more visitors over time.

Evergreen content 

Crafting praiseworthy evergreen content is the biggest key to creating and capitalising on compounding web traffic. Evergreen content is content that remains relevant and useful over time rather than becoming outdated or irrelevant. By creating content that addresses timeless topics or that provides ongoing value to your audience, you can attract visitors who are more likely to return to your site and share your content with others.

Don’t forget your data!

It’s important to track and analyse your website’s traffic over time in order to identify which strategies are most effective at driving compounding traffic. By using tools like Google Analytics (now known as G4) or other web analytics platforms, you can track your website’s traffic, conversion rates, and other metrics and use that data to make informed decisions about how to really your content and promotion strategies going forward.

Tip: Find out your most visited posts or pages by using your G4 Analytics and doing the following:

1. On the left-hand side of your screen, click on Engagement
2. Then click on Pages and screens
3. Then change the date parameters (top right-hand side of the screen) to custom
4. Enter the date from as far back as you can until now

You will then be provided with a table that shows the slugs of the pages or post that get the most views. Now you can see your most popular and do any of the above suggestions to double down on their traffic. 

How many blog posts should be live on your site to get good compounding traffic?

The number of blog posts needed to achieve good compounding traffic depends on a variety of factors, including your industry, competition, and target audience. No set number of blog posts will guarantee good compounding traffic, as it ultimately depends on the quality and relevance of your content.

That being said, in general, websites that have a larger volume of high-quality, evergreen content tend to perform better in search engines and attract more traffic over time. According to HubSpot’s 2020 State of Marketing report, companies that blog regularly (more than once a week) are 13 times more likely to see positive ROI compared to companies that don’t blog at all.

In terms of a specific number of blog posts, it’s difficult to give an exact figure, as it depends on a variety of factors. However, a good rule of thumb is to aim to publish new blog posts on a regular basis (such as once or twice a week) and to ensure that your existing blog posts are high-quality, evergreen content that is optimised for search engines.

Ultimately, the key to achieving good compounding traffic is to focus on creating really terrific and information-dense content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. By doing so, you can gradually build up your website’s visibility and attract more visitors over time, regardless of the specific number of blog posts you have published.

What kind of posts do best for compounding traffic?

The best kind of posts for compounding traffic are those that are high-quality, evergreen, and address the needs and interests of your target audience. Here are some examples of the types of posts that tend to perform well for compounding traffic:

1. How-to guides and tutorials: Posts that provide step-by-step instructions or advice on how to solve a particular problem or achieve a specific goal can be highly valuable for readers and tend to attract a lot of search traffic over time.
2. List posts: List posts that provide a curated list of resources or tips on a particular topic can also be highly valuable for readers and tend to perform well in search engines.
3. Case studies and success stories: Posts that provide real-world examples of how your product or service has helped others can be highly compelling and attract a lot of organic search traffic over time.
4. Expert insights and analysis: Posts that provide unique insights or analysis on a particular topic or trend can be highly valuable for readers and tend to attract a lot of backlinks and social shares over time.
5. Product reviews and comparisons: Posts that provide honest and detailed reviews of your own products or services or comparisons with other similar products or services can be precious for potential customers and attract a lot of search traffic over time.

How can you link back to previous blog posts to enhance compounding traffic?

Linking back to previous blog posts is a great way to enhance compounding traffic, as it can help readers discover and engage with more of your content. Here are some strategies for linking back to previous blog posts:

1. Internal linking: Use internal links within your blog posts to link to related content on your own site. This can help readers discover more of your content and spend more time on your site, which can improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic over time.
2. Related posts: Use a related posts plugin or widget to automatically display links to related content at the end of each blog post. This can help readers discover more of your content and keep them engaged with your site.
3. Update and republish old content: When you update and republish old blog posts, be sure to include internal links to your more recent content. This can help drive traffic to your newer content and improve its visibility in search engines.
4. Create content hubs: Group related blog posts together into content hubs or topic clusters. This can help readers discover more of your content on a particular topic and improve your search engine rankings for related keywords.
5. Link from your homepage: Feature links to your most popular or recent blog posts on your homepage or in your site navigation. This can help drive traffic to your blog and keep readers engaged with your site.

By using these strategies to link back to your previous blog posts, you can help readers discover more of your content and keep them engaged with your site. 

Not sure how to make the most of what content you have or how to build up a content bank that actually works for you in your business? Let’s discuss the perfect content strategy for your organisation now. 

The post Unleashing the Snowball Effect: Compounding Web Traffic appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

Further deep-diving into the world of SEO, let’s shed some light on a tool that’s absolutely essential for anyone serious about improving their website’s performance: Google Search Console.

What’s Google Search Console?

Alright, first things first. Google Search Console, often lovingly referred to as GSC, is a free web service that Google provides. It’s like the backstage pass to your website’s performance in Google’s search results. This nifty tool gives you a direct line to Google, where you can see how your site is doing regarding search visibility.

The crucial role it plays in SEO

Now, you might be wondering, ‘why should I bother with Google Search Console?’ Well, here’s where the magic happens.

1.    Indexing Insights: GSC helps you understand how Googlebot (Google’s web-crawling robot) sees your site. You’ll be able to spot indexing issues, such as pages that can’t be crawled or indexed. Fixing these issues ensures your content can be found by the search engine.

2.    Keyword Performance: Wondering which keywords are driving traffic to your site? GSC provides a treasure trove of information about the search queries that lead visitors to your pages. This data is gold for optimising your content and targeting the right SEO keywords.

3.    Mobile Friendliness: In this day and age, mobile-friendliness is non-negotiable. GSC alerts you to any mobile usability issues on your site, ensuring that both desktop and mobile users have a seamless experience.

4.    Structured Data: Structured data markup can make your site’s search results more informative and attractive. Google Search Console helps you validate and enhance structured data to make your listings stand out.

5.    Coverage Reports: Ever wondered why some of your pages aren’t showing up in Google’s search results? GSC’s coverage reports reveal any issues preventing your pages from being indexed, allowing you to take corrective action.

6.    Security Alerts: Your site’s security is paramount. GSC notifies you if Google detects any security issues, such as malware or phishing attempts, helping you keep your site safe.

7.    Sitemap Submission: You can submit your website’s sitemap directly to Google via Google Search Console. This ensures that Google knows about all the pages on your site, making it easier for them to crawl and index your content.

8.    Performance Metrics: GSC offers valuable insights into your site’s overall performance, including clicks, impressions, click-through rates, and average position in search results. This data helps you track your SEO efforts and measure their impact.

In a nutshell, Google Search Console is your trusty sidekick in the world of SEO. It provides you with the information and tools you need to heighten your website for better search visibility and user experience.

So, whether you’re a seasoned SEO pro or just dipping your toes into the digital marketing waters, make sure to add Google Search Console to your arsenal. It’s a powerful tool that can help you climb the ranks in Google’s search results and get your website noticed by a broader audience.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to know how to navigate Google Search Console, especially since you already have enough on your plate. Why not sign up for one of my SEO packages today?

The post Google Search Console: unveiling its crucial role in SEO appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

Reading these blogs can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in content marketing. They can provide valuable insights and strategies for creating compelling content, growing an audience, and measuring the success of a content marketing campaign. 

Additionally, reading these world-leading blogs can also be a great way to stay motivated and inspired as a content marketer or business owner. These blogs are written by super doper experts in the field and provide practical tips, case studies, and industry news to help you improve your skills and stay ahead of the curve.

Content Marketing Institute

The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) is a leading authority on content marketing, providing research, training, and resources for content marketers. The CMI blog covers a wide range of topics, including strategy, storytelling, and measurement, and is updated frequently with new content.

Recommended reading: 5 Steps To Mind Map Your Content and Increase Its Reach

Copyblogger

Copyblogger is a blog and digital marketing agency that focuses on helping businesses create content that drives results. Their blog covers topics such as copywriting, content creation, and marketing strategy.

Recommended reading: Email Autoresponders: Meet the Lazy Marketer’s Best Friend

HubSpot

HubSpot is a marketing, sales, and service software provider that helps businesses grow better. Their blog covers a wide range of topics, including inbound marketing, lead generation, and CRM. This is such a great one for covering a variety of topics.

Recommended reading: How to Write a Website Redesign Proposal

Buffer

Buffer is a social media management platform that helps businesses grow their online presence. Their blog covers topics such as social media strategy, content marketing, and online community building.

Recommended reading: My Business Was Hurting My Sleep — Here’s How I Built Better Habits

Neil Patel

Neil Patel is a digital marketing expert and entrepreneur who runs a popular blog covering topics such as SEO, PPC, and content marketing. He’s the guru of the industry, so I tend to pay close attention to what he says.

With over 2,530,346 monthly visitors, he definitely knows what he’s doing.

Recommended reading: The Secret Behind My 1,866,913 Monthly Search Visitors (It’s Not What You Think)

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Choosing the right SEO keywords is essential for any successful SEO campaign. ‘Studies show that 93% of online journeys begin with a search engine.’ So you need to make the most of this and meet people (your potential customers and clients) where they are. 

It’s imperative that you have an SEO keyword or phrase for every single webpage and every single blog post you have on your website. You need it to include in your post and to optimise your images for SEO. To begin with, it’s a good idea to have one primary keyword (and a keyword can be comprised of more than one word – that term is a little misleading) and optimise the page or post for that primary keyword. 

For example, this post is optimised for the keyword “how to find your SEO keywords”. This is a longtail keyword because it’s a bit longer than most of my primary keywords, which generally sit around the 1 to 3 word mark. Eg, Adelaide copywriter. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose the right SEO keywords for your website:

Brainstorm potential keywords

Start by brainstorming a list of potential keywords that are relevant to your website and business. Use the language and terminology your target audience would use to search for your products or services. 

If you already have a website, go to your home and about pages or your main services of product pages and choose keywords of what they are about. If you’re new to blogging for SEO purposes and you haven’t really optimised any blog posts as yet, start with your main keywords. And your main keywords will be the primary focus of your business. For example, mine is “copywriter“. If you’re a lawyer, your main keywords might be “Australian lawyer” or similar. If you’re a chocolate maker (yes, I’m obsessed), your main keywords might be “buy chocolate online”. Or similar.

Research search volume and competition

Use a keyword research tool, such as Google Keyword Planner, to find out how often each potential keyword is searched and how competitive each keyword is. Look for keywords with a high search volume and low competition.

Scroll down to see how to use Google Keyword Planner.

There are several other keyword research tools available that can help you identify relevant keywords for your business, such as Ahrefs, SEMrush (my favourite), Moz, and more. These tools provide insights into search volume, competition, and related keywords.

Scroll down to see how to use Semrush step-by-step.

Learn to SEO your images in 18 minutes.

What is a good search volume to aim for?

The ideal search volume for your keywords depends on your specific business and industry. A high search volume means a high demand for a particular keyword, but it also means a lot of competition for that keyword.

Regarding search volume, there is no specific number that is considered “good” or “bad.” It is more important to choose keywords that are relevant to your business and target audience and that have a search volume that is appropriate for your business goals.

For example, if you have a small business with a limited budget, you may want to focus on targeting longtail keywords with a lower search volume but less competition. This can help you rank higher in search engine results pages and attract more targeted traffic to your website. This might be your tactic if you are just starting out.

On the other hand, if you have a larger business with more resources, you may want to target high-volume keywords that have a higher level of competition. This can help you attract more traffic to your website and increase brand visibility. 

That being said, if I were to choose SEO keywords for a client, I would be looking at main keywords that have a higher search volume than 10 (averaged per month). That means that, on average, 10 people are searching for the word a month. That’s pretty low and is unlikely to convert to people clicking on your link (especially if the competition is high). So as an arbitrary guideline, look for keywords with low (to mid) competition and a search volume of at least 70 per month to begin with. 

When choosing keywords, it’s important to consider a balance between search volume and competition. A keyword with too high search volume may have too much competition to effectively rank for, while a keyword with too low search volume may not generate enough traffic to be worth targeting. It’s important to find the sweet spot where you can target keywords that are relevant to your business and have an appropriate level of search volume and competition.

Consider longtail keywords

Longtail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that people use when searching. They can be more targeted and easier to rank for than more general keywords. Consider including longtail keywords in your list.

You might like to consider this as phase two of your keyword optimisation plan and just focus on your main keywords for now.

Analyse your competitors

Research your competitors’ websites and see what keywords they are targeting. Use this information to identify keywords that are relevant to your business and have low competition. Competition can be found by using software or Google Keyword Planner.

You might like to read my post on reverse engineering your competitors’ strategy.

Refine your list

Once you have a list of potential keywords, refine it to include only the most relevant and effective keywords. Remove any keywords that are too broad or have too much competition. For example, if you’re that beloved chocolate maker, you might avoid using the keyword “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” because although it has an incredible search volume (33,000 at the time of writing this), its competition is fierce at 92/100. I used Semrush to discover this. 

Google Search Suggestions

Google provides a list of suggestions as you type in your search query in the search bar. These suggestions are based on popular searches that people use and can provide valuable insight into potential keywords.

Type in a keyword in a private browser on Google and then scroll down all the way to the bottom, and it will give you some related keywords. 

Consider user intent

Consider the intent behind the keyword searches. Are people looking to buy a product, or are they looking for information? Use keywords that match the user’s intent. 

Again, my SEO software works all that out for me, but you can use your wisdom to determine this.

Use keyword variations

Use different variations of your keywords throughout your website, such as singular and plural versions, different verb tenses, and synonyms. For example, “best lawyer” and “best lawyers”, etc.

Monitor and adjust 

Once you have chosen your keywords, monitor your website’s performance and adjust your keyword strategy as needed. Use tools such as Google Analytics to track your website’s search engine rankings and traffic.

How to find your SEO keywords using Google Keyword Planner

Here are the steps to find keywords using Google Keyword Planner:

1. Sign in to Google Ads: Go to the Google Ads homepage and sign in using your Google account.
2. Access Keyword Planner: Click on the “Tools and Settings” icon in the top-right corner and select “Keyword Planner” from the drop-down menu.
3. Enter a seed keyword: In the “Find new keywords” section, enter a seed keyword related to your business or product. This could be a product name, service, or category.
4. Select your targeting preferences: Choose your target location, language, and network. You can also enter negative keywords to exclude irrelevant searches.
5. Select Keyword Ideas: Click on the “Get Results” button to see a list of keyword ideas. These are the keywords that people are searching for related to your seed keyword.
6. Analyse the results: The Keyword Planner will display a list of relevant keywords along with data on their monthly search volume, competition, and other metrics. Use this information to choose the keywords that are most relevant and effective for your business.
7. Refine your list: Once you have identified potential keywords, refine your list to include only the most relevant and effective keywords. Remove any keywords that are too broad or have too much competition.
8. Download or add to a plan: You can download the list of keywords as a CSV file or add them to a plan within your Google Ads account.

How do you find keywords using Semrush?

I genuinely love this SEO software and have used it for clients for years. But I want to let you know that I am an affiliate of Semrush and I get a small kickback (at no cost to you) if you choose to purchase. But I would recommend it, even if I wasn’t an affiliate. 

Here are the steps to find keywords using SEMrush:

1. Log in to your SEMrush account: Go to the SEMrush homepage and log in to your account.
2. Select Keyword Research: In the main navigation menu, select “Keyword Research” and choose one of the options, such as “Keyword Magic Tool” or “Keyword Analytics.”
3. Enter a seed keyword: In the search bar, enter a seed keyword related to your business or product. This could be a product name, service, or category.
4. Analyse the results: SEMrush will provide a list of related keywords, along with important metrics like search volume, keyword difficulty, and cost per click. You can use this data to evaluate the competitiveness and relevance of each keyword.
5. Refine your list: Use filters and sorting options to refine the list of keywords to include only the most relevant and effective keywords. Remove any keywords that are too broad or have too much competition.
6. Analyse competitors’ keywords: SEMrush also provides the ability to analyse your competitors’ keywords. Enter your competitor’s website into the search bar and review the list of keywords they are targeting. This can provide valuable insights into keyword opportunities for your own website.
7. Export and save your list: Once you have identified potential keywords, you can export the list as a CSV file and save it for later use.

By using SEMrush, you can find relevant keywords that can help improve your website’s search engine rankings and attract more traffic to your website. Additionally, the platform provides other useful features such as competitor analysis, keyword difficulty analysis, and more that can help you develop a successful SEO strategy.

You don’t have to go it alone. If you’re stuck or don’t know where to start when it comes to SEO keywords, you can hire me to discover your custom SEO list. I go through and work out the important data of keywords and then I provide you with a list (generally around 20 to 40 keywords) and then suggest which keyword you should use for which web page or blog post. All provided in a handy spreadsheet so you can refer to it time and time again.

This blog post contains affiliate links of things I genuinely believe help and have used personally.

The post How To Find Your SEO Keywords appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

Keyword research and selection

• Identify target keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business and have a good search volume.
• Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find keyword ideas.

On-page optimisation

• Ensure that the target keywords are included in the page title, meta description, headers, and body copy.
• Use descriptive and compelling title tags and meta descriptions that entice searchers to click on your page.
• Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content and make it easy to read.
• Use internal linking to help search engines discover and index your content.

Technical SEO

• Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and has a fast load time.
• Optimise images by compressing them and using descriptive file names and alt tags.
• Use HTTPS encryption to secure your website and boost trust with users.
• Set up a sitemap.xml file and submit it to Google Search Console to help search engines discover and index your pages.

Content creation and optimisation

• Publish high-quality, original content that provides value to your audience. Hint: use my Blank to Brilliant course to help.
• Use relevant keywords throughout your content, but avoid keyword stuffing.
• Write content that is easy to read, engaging, and includes multimedia elements like images and videos.
• Regularly update your website with fresh, new content and professional website copywriting.
• Go through old/existing content and update with onsite optimisation.

Link building

• Develop a link-building strategy that includes acquiring backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry.
• Use guest blogging, broken link building, or other tactics to earn high-quality links to your website.
• Monitor your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs or Moz to identify and disavow low-quality or spammy links.

Local SEO (if applicable)

• Claim and optimise your Google My Business listing.
• Optimise your website for local keywords and include your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page.
• Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business page and other relevant directories.

Tracking and analysis

• Set up Google Analytics to track website traffic 
• Set up Google Search Console to monitor search engine performance.
• Monitor critical metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, bounce rate, and conversion rate.
• Use the data to identify areas for improvement and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly.

Mobile optimisation

• Ensure your website is mobile-responsive and renders correctly on different devices.
• Optimise your website’s load time for mobile devices by compressing images, reducing the number of redirects, and using a content delivery network (CDN).
• Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check if your website is optimised for mobile devices.

Site structure and navigation

• Ensure that your website has a straightforward and easy-to-use navigation menu that allows users to find the information they need.
• Use breadcrumb navigation to help users understand where they are on your website and how to navigate back to previous pages.
• Use a logical URL structure that reflects the hierarchy of your website’s pages.

User experience

• Ensure that your website’s design and layout are visually appealing and easy to navigate.
• Use clear, concise language that is easy to understand.
• Optimise your website for fast load times to reduce bounce rates.
• Include calls to action (CTAs) that encourage users to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.

Ecommerce optimisation (if applicable)

• Optimise product pages by including detailed descriptions, images, and customer reviews.
• Use schema markup to provide search engines with more detailed information about your products.
• Use a clear and user-friendly checkout process to reduce cart abandonment rates.

Local search optimisation (if applicable)

• Ensure that your website includes your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page.
• Create local business listings on relevant directories, such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places for Business.
• Use schema markup to provide search engines with more detailed information about your business, such as your hours of operation and customer reviews.

Done all that? Now do the following to power up your SEO and leave others for dust.

Social media integration

• Integrate social media sharing buttons on your website to make it easy for users to share your content.
• Use social media channels to promote your content and drive traffic to your website.
• Monitor social media conversations to identify opportunities for engagement and brand building.

Competitor analysis

• Identify your top competitors and analyse their websites and SEO strategies.
• Look for opportunities to improve their tactics, such as targeting keywords they are missing or creating more in-depth content.
• Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to conduct a backlink analysis of your competitors’ websites and identify potential link-building opportunities.

Voice search optimisation

• Optimise your content for voice search queries by targeting long-tail keywords and natural language phrases.
• Use structured data to help search engines better understand your content and provide more detailed information to voice assistants.
• Make sure your website’s load time is fast, as voice searches tend to have higher expectations for speed and convenience.

Video optimisation

• Create high-quality videos that provide value to your audience and align with your target keywords.
• Use descriptive titles, descriptions, and tags to help search engines understand the content of your videos.
• Host videos on your website or a reputable video platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo, to drive traffic to your website.

By undertaking all these items on your SEO checklist, you can ensure that you are taking a comprehensive approach to optimising your website for search engine performance and user experience. And start to get those mindblowing results that you’ve been dreaming of. 

The post Definitive SEO Checklist appeared first on Jones the Writer Copywriting Services.

I know a lot of us are always trying to configure our SEO and tweak it here and there to really suck the juice out of it. And I encourage that. SEO is an ongoing puzzle. It’s not just “set and forget” type of marketing activity. So with that in mind, I’ve proposed four overarching SEO strategies or components of an SEO strategy that I encourage you to look at this year. Now, depending on the size of your site or your brand, this can be a really overwhelming task. It might even take a whole team to action if you don’t have the resources; I suggest picking one of the following four strategies and really perfecting it to the best of your ability this year. Anything you can do will make a difference.

1. Keyword optimisation: Researching and incorporating relevant keywords into website content, meta tags, and image alt tags to improve search visibility.
2. On-page optimisation: Improving website structure, navigation, and content quality to ensure search engines can easily crawl and understand the site.
3. Link building: Acquiring high-quality, inbound links from reputable sources to increase domain authority and drive referral traffic.
4. Content marketing: Creating and publishing valuable content to attract and engage the target audience, earning natural links and increasing brand awareness.

Like I said above, if you don’t have the resources to tackle all of this yourself or have a team to help you, I recommend picking one of the four above, focusing on it and getting it really right before moving on to the next. You are better off diving in and making something work rather than doing bits and pieces here in there. So my recommendation is to pick either one or four above if you haven’t done a deep dive on either before.

SEO strategy 1 – keyword optimisation

Keyword optimisation is the process of researching, selecting, and incorporating keywords into your website content, meta tags, and other elements in order to improve your website’s visibility and ranking on search engines such as Google. The goal of keyword optimisation is to identify the keywords and phrases your target audience is searching for and to make sure that your website appears as high as possible in the search engine results pages (SERPs) for those keywords.

The process of keyword optimisation involves researching and identifying the right keywords, analysing the competition for those keywords, incorporating the keywords into your website content in a natural and effective way, and continuously monitoring and refining your keyword strategy to ensure maximum results.

Keyword optimisation is an important part of search engine optimisation SEO, as it can help drive more traffic to your website and increase your online visibility and credibility.

The following are some techniques and methods you can apply if keyword optimisation is your chosen SEO strategy for this year. Again, if you work with limited resources, pick one and perfect it until you move on to the next. 

Keyword optimisation techniques for 2023

1. Long-tail Keywords: Focus on more specific and descriptive phrases that better match user intent.
2. Voice search optimisation: Optimising content for voice search queries and using conversational language.
3. LSI keywords: Including semantically related words and phrases to strengthen the context and relevance of content.
4. Local keywords: Optimising content for local search queries and using location-based keywords.
5. Topic clusters: Organising content into interlinked groups of related articles, with pillar content as the primary source of information.
6. Synonyms and variations: Using synonyms and variations of keywords to avoid keyword stuffing and increase content relevance.
7. User intent: When creating content, understand and target the user’s goals, needs, and search intentions.

I want to explain a few of these terms a little further since they may be new to you. 

What are LSI keywords?

LSI (latent semantic indexing) keywords are semantically related words and phrases that provide context and meaning to the main keyword. They help search engines understand the content’s topic and theme and can improve search ranking for the target keyword. The use of LSI keywords can also help avoid keyword stuffing and make the content appear more natural and relevant to the user. Examples of LSI keywords for the main keyword “pizza” could include “toppings”, “delivery”, “New York style”, “crust”, etc.

What are topic clusters?

Topic clusters are a content marketing and SEO strategy that organises related articles into interlinked groups, with one main piece of content serving as the “pillar” that provides comprehensive information on a particular topic. 

Each cluster consists of the pillar content and several “cluster” articles that are linked to it, providing in-depth coverage of specific subtopics related to the pillar content. For example, where my main page (and SEO keyword and content focus) is “copywriter“, I would focus on creating and improving content (specifically blog articles) that are directly related to “copywriter”. That might look like topics such as “what’s it like being a copywriter”, “how to become a copywriter”, “what you need to know when hiring a copywriter”, etc. 

Using topic clusters helps establish the website as an authority on the subject (which we know is vital for the EEAT formula), improves user experience, and increases the chances of ranking higher in search results for relevant keywords.

What are local keywords?

Local keywords are words that include a geographic location, such as a city, region, or neighbourhood. They are used to optimise content for local search queries. These keywords are used to target users who are searching for products or services in a specific area. Examples of local keywords include “pizza delivery in Adelaide”, “best hair salon in Melbourne”, and “coffee shops in Sydney”. 

The use of local keywords can help improve a website’s visibility in local search results, attract local customers, and drive more relevant traffic to the website.

If you’re a brick-and-mortar business, you would absolutely make this one of your SEO strategy priorities. Especially if you rely on face-to-face service as your business. When you run an online and remote business like mine, it’s not so important. But I still occasionally look at doing as, say, a third-level priority when it comes to improving my keywords and SEO activities. The way to tell whether you need to invest your time in this is by doing good quality SEO keyword research, and if you notice a lot of search volume for, say, “copywriter Adelaide” (if that is your local area), then it’s definitely worth popping it on your to-do list.

What is user intent?

User intent refers to the goal, need, or purpose behind a user’s search query. Understanding user intent is crucial in providing relevant and valuable content that satisfies the user’s search request. User intent can range from informational (searching for information), navigational (searching for a specific website), transactional (searching to purchase a product or service), or commercial (researching products or services before making a purchase). 

By understanding and targeting user intent, marketers and content creators can optimise their content to better match the user’s expectations, improve search ranking, and increase user engagement and satisfaction. You can see in the image below that SemRush tells me that people are mainly searching for “copywriting services adelaide” with a commercial (that’s what the yellow C stands for) intent.

I find this particularly easy to work out with the SEO software that I use because it explicitly states what most users are looking for. It will tell me whether a keyword is mostly searched for being informational, transactional or navigational. If I know that something is being heavily searched for in a transactional manner, then I know to optimise that key webpage in a salesy way and that people are ready to buy.

SEO strategy 2 – on page optimisation

On-page optimisation refers to the actions taken directly on a website to improve its ranking and visibility in search results. It encompasses various technical and content-related elements of a website, including:

1. Title tags and meta descriptions
2. Headings and subheadings
3. Content quality and relevance
4. URL structure
5. Internal linking
6. Image optimisation
7. Page loading speed
8. Mobile responsiveness
9. Schema markup

The goal of on-page optimisation is to make it easier for search engines to crawl and understand a website’s content, making it more likely to rank well in search results for relevant keywords.

When starting to work with new clients, this is one of the first services or activities that I suggest to them, particularly if they have an existing website. Going back through old content, web pages, or blog posts can give an almost immediate boon to search ranking results. And you don’t even have to create new content. I find it a super-efficient way of helping clients to get their website in the game as a baseline, and then they can start to add on other techniques, new content and strategies from there. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with which SEO strategy to take this year and are reasonably new to it all but have an existing website, on onsite optimisation service is where I recommend you start. 

Why engage in on-page optimisation?

1. Improves search engine visibility: It helps search engines better understand and index a website’s content, increasing its chances of ranking well in search results.
2. Enhances user experience: Optimising website structure, navigation, and content quality improves user experience, which can lead to increased engagement and conversions.
3. Increases website’s relevance: It ensures that a website’s content is relevant, valuable, and aligned with user intent, which can increase traffic and engagement.
4. Supports off-page SEO efforts: On-page optimisation lays the foundation for successful off-page SEO efforts, such as link building, by providing high-quality, search engine-friendly content.
5. Increases conversion rates: By improving user experience, relevance, and search visibility, on-page optimisation can increase the chances of converting website visitors into customers.

SEO strategy 3 – link building

Link building is the process of acquiring links from other websites to your own website to improve its visibility and authority in search results. The more high-quality, relevant links pointing to a website, the more likely it is to rank well for relevant keywords. 

Link building is a critical component of off-page SEO and can be achieved through various tactics such as guest blogging, broken link building, resource link building, and others. The goal of link building (often referred to as backlinks) is to obtain natural, high-quality links that add value to both the linking and linked-to websites while avoiding spammy or low-quality links that can negatively impact search rankings.

Why engage in link building?

1. Improves search engine visibility: Link building helps search engines understand the quality and relevance of a website and can lead to higher rankings in search results for relevant keywords.
2. Increases referral traffic: It can drive referral traffic to a website from other sites, increasing visibility and exposure.
3. Builds authority and trust: The more high-quality, relevant links pointing to a website, the more authoritative and trustworthy it appears to both search engines and users.
4. Supports on-page optimisation: Link building can help support on-page optimisation efforts by providing additional context and relevance to a website’s content.
5. Enhances user experience: By linking to high-quality, relevant content, link building can improve the overall user experience and increase engagement with a website.

I don’t recommend you rush into this one straight away. This is the kind of strategy that you want to engage. Once you have a lot of content in place. You have an excellent website, you’ve done the web copy, you’ve put all the on-page SEO factors into place, and you definitely have optimised for your keywords. Only when you’ve got all that in place is it time to start your link-building activities. 

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, trying to decide which strategy to embark on this year, leave this one for last.

SEO strategy 4 – content marketing 

Content marketing is the creation and distribution of valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly targeted audience with the aim of driving customer action that makes money. The goal of content marketing is to establish a brand as a thought leader, educate and engage its target audience, and build relationships with customers through content that is relevant, valuable, and aligned with their needs and interests.

It should be pretty obvious by now why content marketing should factor into your overall marketing plan regardless of your SEO goals. But here are some reminders anyway:

1. Attracts and retains target audience: Content marketing helps attract and retain a target audience by providing them with relevant, valuable information that meets their needs and interests.
2. Establishes brand as a thought leader: By providing expert information and insights, content marketing helps establish a brand as a thought leader in its industry, building trust and credibility with its target audience. So this is not just for those who want to engage in the speaking circle, so their books etc. This is for brands as well that really want to establish credibility in the market. So that can be things like bedroom furniture, for example. You can see that a lot of those memory foam mattress businesses, who work really hard on their marketing, have established quite a lot of credibility by providing content around getting a good night’s sleep and sleep hygiene etc.
3. Drives engagement and conversions: By engaging and educating its target audience, content marketing can increase engagement and drive conversions, leading to increased revenue and customer loyalty.
4. Supports SEO efforts: Content marketing can fire up SEO efforts by providing high-quality, relevant content that can be optimised for search engines and drive organic traffic to a website. And you know that I’m all about this and will not shut up about it until you do it! 
5. Cost-effective marketing strategy: Content marketing is a cost-effective marketing method that can reach a large audience without the need for large ad budgets, helping to increase brand awareness and customer engagement. Especially if you engage in writing your own blog posts. 

Which of the four strategies is the best?

It’s difficult to say which of the four strategies is the “best” as it depends on your specific business goals, target audience, and industry. All four systems have their own unique benefits and can be used together to support an overall marketing strategy. 

The best strategy is the one that meets your business goals, addresses the needs and interests of your target audience, and delivers results that are meaningful to your business. And the one that is within reach for you right now. Whether that means: within your budget to outsource or that you have the time to engage in or have support from someone you know to help and encourage you to try. 

To summarise, though:

If you’re established and have already got a great optimised website and lots of content – try link building.

If you’re entirely new and have just got your website live, try keyword optimisation and/or content marketing. 

If you’ve been around for a little bit but haven’t really thrown yourself into any SEO strategy – try various parts of keyword optimisation and/onsite optimisation.

If you haven’t even started yet – write your website and get it live! Then do your keyword optimisation (or do it as you are writing your website pages). Hire a website copywriter if you are unsure. 

It’s important to regularly evaluate and adjust your strategy based on your results and changing market conditions and to find the right balance between different tactics that work well for your business. I recommend, at the start of every year, plan out what you want to achieve and work on within your SEO strategy for the year. But to also re-evaluate at least every three months as to whether you are making progress. 

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